Hot off the press from WWD is the news that Hilary Duff is about to collaborate on the design for a collection with DKNY Jeans. The line, which has been dubbed Femme for DKNY Jeans, is targeted to women in their 20′s, who, like Duff, aspire to that flirty yet laid back style.

In her recent interview with Women’s Wear Daily, Duff said that in her opinion, “One of the hardest things [was] to come up with [the collection's] name.“ She continued that, “Femme works really well and explains the line perfectly as feminine but tough all at the same time. It’s aggressive, but in a good way.“

We’ve all seen Hilary herself in that exact same light I think! There may have been a cat fight or two, but the girl has truly remained a class act…

“There is truly something in this line for every girl whose styles change every day, like mine does,” said Duff. “Sometimes I want to wear tight leather leggings with a big plaid shirt, or other days, I want to wear a floral-print dress but make it look edgy. Some days I like to be a bit more punk rock, but in a girly way. I love wearing layers and scarves, and I love that his line can be mixed and matched just the way you want it to. I think it’s the perfect line for young girls who can’t afford to buy a lot of clothes these days.“

Although we haven’t seen the lookbook yet, the sketches are looking nice. And, from her description, I have to admit, I’m pretty excited to shop the collection too. Check it out:

When I heard that Junya Watanabe had pulled together, once again, a remarkable collection for Spring, I closed my eyes and tried to picture just what he might have in store. Known for stark period and cultural influence, always a jacket and skirt in site, and never without a hat or headdress of course, Watanabe endlessly produces great shows, often in the vain of a curatorial feat no less.

This season, being no exception–many of the same elements persisting–we at the Denimblog, are happy to report, that Watanabe took a stab a something different, including our favorite indigo tones too.

With a clear African affect, inlaid lace, gingham, flowered and paisley prints, Watanabe toiled with not only the Boyfriend jean, but with layered, fitted, and cut up skirts and tiny little military styled jackets as well. The head pieces are purely couture, in my opinion, but, that said, they definitely herald a look of just the home sewn glory that patch work denim calls for (a la Kate Moss’s recent foray into pieced together fabrics).

It seems to me that this exact African influence might just be one of greatest references that we’ve seen on the runways for Spring. Have you noticed that as well? If you’re interested in the theme, take some time to review Louis Vuitton’s Spring Collection and notice the subtle inclination toward specific fabrics, patterns, and a drifting escape from classical western simplicities. I will also mention that Ralph Lauren’s RTW collection was falling that way too, with a certain Safari ease.

Watanabe’s collection of fab denim and tribal detailing may not be an everyday something in your wardrobe–this I already know. In fact, I might venture to say that for most, it might be a never-day occurrence in your wardrobe! Yet, even if you are going to sit on the side lines with this one, can you deny its artistic subtlety and brilliance? I, for one, absolutely can not.